We asked tribal leaders to discuss the steps their tribes are taking to uphold their long-term cultural and economic resilience, and the key focus areas for their gaming and entertainment enterprises. Here is what Chairman Coly Brown had to say…
Coly Brown, Chairman
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
WinnaVegas Casino Resort – Sloan, IA
WarHorse Casino – Omaha & Lincoln, NE
Iron Horse Bar & Casino – Emerson, NE
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RESILIENCE: Our tribe is aggressively pursuing a diversified economic strategy designed to provide jobs, create economic growth, and generate discretionary income to fund tribal initiatives. Our economic entities – including our gaming operations – directly empower our cultural efforts by providing essential funding for cultural education, language preservation programs, and community cultural events. This economic growth also helps our individual families have a better future through increased job and housing opportunities, allowing them to focus more fully on cultural and community-oriented activities.
GAMING: Our gaming and entertainment focus is currently balanced between leveraging existing successful operations and capitalizing on new market opportunities. We currently operate three distinct gaming entities: WinnaVegas, our primary Class III facility in Iowa; a smaller Class II operation in Nebraska; and new state-regulated gaming facilities in Omaha and Lincoln. Our largest opportunity for growth is currently in off-reservation gaming in Nebraska, and we have plans to begin construction on another facility in South Sioux City in 2026. Additionally, we are working to enter into a compact with the State of Nebraska to allow our Class II facilities to become Class III entities, which will significantly aid their profitability.
At WinnaVegas, which relies heavily on repeat business, our strategy is to continuously refresh the gaming floor, prioritize personalized service and loyalty, and transform the property into a convenient entertainment destination. We are also directing significant capital investment toward diversifying our non-gaming amenities, including our hotel, live entertainment venue, and resort experiences. Looking ahead, we are exploring opportunities for skill-based and interactive games that will attract a younger demographic to our brick-and-mortar facilities. Our three decades of successful operation provide invaluable customer data that will continue to guide our expansion and ensure long-term economic sustainability for the Winnebago people.
